Parameter estimation of a composite production function model based on improved artificial fish swarm algorithm and model application

The traditional Cobb–Douglas production function uses the compact mathematical form to describe the relationship between the production results and production factors in the production technology process. However, in macro-economic production, multi-structured production exists universally. In order to better demonstrate such input–output relation, a composite production function model is proposed in this article. In aspect of model parameter estimation, artificial fish swarm algorithm is applied. The algorithm has satisfactory performance in overcoming local extreme value and acquiring global extreme value. Moreover, realization of the algorithm does not need the gradient value of the objective function. For this reason, it is adaptive to searching space. Through the improved artificial fish swarm algorithm, convergence rate and precision are both considerably improved. In aspect of model application, the composite production function model is mainly used to calculate economic growth factor contribution rate. In this article, a relatively more accurate calculating method is proposed. In the end, empirical analysis on economic growth contribution rate of China is implemented.     

On the estimation of a sensitive quantitative mean using blank cards

In this article, we introduce for the first time, the blank card methods for estimation of finite population mean of a sensitive variable. Two generic randomization devices are suggested, and for each device we identify the choices of special models. We introduce additive, multiplicative, and combination of both additive and multiplicative scrambling models that require use of a non sensitive variable. We derive the basic statistical properties of each model. It is interesting to note that various existing estimators can be viewed as the special cases of those presented here. The statistical efficiency of proposed techniques is compared with Greenberg et al. (1971 Greenberg, B.G., Kuebler Jr, R.R., Abernathy, J.R., Horvitz, D.G. (1971). Application of the randomized response technique in obtaining quantitative data. J. Am. Stat. Assoc. 66(334):243–250.[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) and modified Perri (2008 Perri, P.F. (2008). Modified randomized devices for Simmons’ model. Model Assisted Stat. Appl. 3(3):233–239. [Google Scholar]) model. The proposed devices can easily be adjusted to achieve the required efficiency level by making suitable choices of different design parameters.     

A general long-term aging model with different underlying activation mechanisms: Modeling,Bayesian estimation,and case influence diagnostics

In this paper we propose a general cure rate aging model. Our approach enables different underlying activation mechanisms which lead to the event of interest. The number of competing causes of the event of interest is assumed to follow a logarithmic distribution. The model is parameterized in terms of the cured fraction which is then linked to covariates. We explore the use of Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to develop a Bayesian analysis for the proposed model. Moreover, some discussions on the model selection to compare the fitted models are given, as well as case deletion influence diagnostics are developed for the joint posterior distribution based on the ψ-divergence, which has several divergence measures as particular cases, such as the Kullback–Leibler (K-L), J-distance, L₁ norm, and χ²-square divergence measures. Simulation studies are performed and experimental results are illustrated based on a real malignant melanoma data.     

Comparison of preliminary test estimators based on generalized order statistics from proportional hazard family using Pitman measure of closeness

In this article, based on generalized order statistics from a family of proportional hazard rate model, we use a statistical test to generate a class of preliminary test estimators and shrinkage preliminary test estimators for the proportionality parameter. These estimators are compared under Pitman measure of closeness (PMC) as well as MSE criteria. Although the PMC suffers from non transitivity, in the first class of estimators, it has the transitivity property and we obtain the Pitman-closest estimator. Analytical and graphical methods are used to show the range of parameter in which preliminary test and shrinkage preliminary test estimators perform better than their competitor estimators. Results reveal that when the prior information is not too far from its real value, the proposed estimators are superior based on both mentioned criteria.     

M-estimation for functional linear regression

This paper studies M-estimation in functional linear regression in which the dependent variable is scalar while the covariate is a function. An estimator for the slope function is obtained based on the functional principal component basis. The global convergence rate of the M-estimator of unknown slope function is established. The convergence rate of the mean-squared prediction error for the proposed estimators is also established. Monte Carlo simulation studies are conducted to examine the finite-sample performance of the proposed procedure. Finally, the proposed method is applied to analyze the Berkeley growth data.     

Characterization of Lindley distribution by truncated moments

In the past few years, the Lindley distribution has gained popularity for modeling lifetime data as an alternative to the exponential distribution. This paper provides two new characterizations of the Lindley distribution. The first characterization is based on a relation between left truncated moments and failure rate function. The second characterization is based on a relation between right truncated moments and reversed failure rate function.     

Bivariate extension of (dynamic) cumulative past entropy

Recently, the concept of cumulative residual entropy (CRE) has been studied by many researchers in higher dimensions. In this article, we extend the definition of (dynamic) cumulative past entropy (DCPE), a dual measure of (dynamic) CRE, to bivariate setup and obtain some of its properties including bounds. We also look into the problem of extending DCPE for conditionally specified models. Several properties, including monotonicity, and bounds of DCPE are obtained for conditional distributions. It is shown that the proposed measure uniquely determines the distribution function. Moreover, we also propose a stochastic order based on this measure.     

A new generalization of the Weibull-geometric distribution with bathtub failure rate

In this paper, the researchers attempt to introduce a new generalization of the Weibull-geometric distribution. The failure rate function of the new model is found to be increasing, decreasing, upside-down bathtub, and bathtub-shaped. The researchers obtained the new model by compounding Weibull distribution and discrete generalized exponential distribution of a second type, which is a generalization of the geometric distribution. The new introduced model contains some previously known lifetime distributions as well as a new one. Some basic distributional properties and moments of the new model are discussed. Estimation of the parameters is illustrated and the model with two known real data sets is examined.     

Generalized Kerridge’s inaccuracy measure for conditionally specified models

Recently, conditional Renyi’s divergence of order α and Kerridge’s inaccuracy measures are studied by Navarro et al. (2014 Navarro, J., Sunoj, S.M., Linu, M.N. (2014). Characterizations of bivariate models using some dynamic conditional information divergence measures. Commun. Stat. Theory Methods 43:1939–1948.[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). In the present article, a generalized dynamic conditional Kerridge’s inaccuracy measure is introduced, which can be represented as the sum of conditional Renyi’s divergence and Renyi’s entropy. Some useful bounds are obtained using the concept of likelihood ratio order. The results are extended to weighted distributions. Sufficient conditions are obtained for the monotonicity of the proposed measure. Characterizations for bivariate exponential conditional distribution are presented based on the proposed measure.